Successful Blog

  • Home
  • Community
  • About
  • Author Guidelines
  • Liz’s Book
  • Stay Tuned

Writers’ Resolutions for the New Year

January 23, 2013 by Rosemary Leave a Comment

By Tiffany Matthews

One of the things that resonated with me as a writer during the new year is a wish that one of my favorite authors shared:

It’s a New Year and with it comes a fresh opportunity to shape our world.

So this is my wish, a wish for me as much as it is a wish for you: in the world to come, let us be brave – let us walk into the dark without fear, and step into the unknown with smiles on our faces, even if we’re faking them.

And whatever happens to us, whatever we make, whatever we learn, let us take joy in it. We can find joy in the world if it’s joy we’re looking for, we can take joy in the act of creation.

So that is my wish for you, and for me. Bravery and joy.

If you are familiar with this, then you know I’m talking about Neil Gaiman’s New Year’s wish. This is a wish that I feel resonates with every writer who is shaped by his or her experiences.

Bravery is a mantra that I think everyone should embrace this year, especially when we’ve been given a reprieve on doomsday last December. This is the year to make things happen and here are some resolutions that will help you achieve your writing goals.

Cruise, Drive, Fly

No matter how busy you are with writing, always set aside time for travel, to de-stress and unwind. Most writers, myself included, tend to be perfectionists and workaholics, which when combined can lead to being overworked and burned out. This is why taking a break every now and then is vital to keep your creative juices flowing.

Still not convinced? Perhaps this checklist can help shed light on why writers need to travel. Before you go on your adventure, keep in mind that travel is very unpredictable; therefore, it’s better to be prepared for the worst that could happen. Always take travel insurance with you as your backup plan.

Make a Booklist

You might wonder how a must-read list of books will help you achieve your writing goals. Author Stephen King in his book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, shares this valuable piece of advice to writers:

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.”

The importance of reading is reiterated throughout his book, which is woven with his often humorous insights on writing as a craft. He further states, “Good description is a learned skill, one of the prime reasons why you cannot succeed unless you read a lot and write a lot.”

One Word at a Time

Getting published is one of writers’ dearest dreams, a dream that is riddled with hurdles like trying to survive daily life. Dreams don’t come true overnight and the reality is you have to work to survive. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can just abandon your dream of becoming an author. It can still happen, if you make it happen.

Set aside time to write for yourself and not just for work. You might feel overwhelmed at the sheer volume of words needed to create your book, but it’s never really about the words. It’s the story that you’re telling. Like what a friend of mine said when he paraphrased Lao Tzu’s famous quote, “The journey of a thousand words begins with one word.”

Swallow your fear and try to be brave as you take it one word at a time. Take comfort in what Stephen King said:

“The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.”

Author’s Bio: Based in San Diego, California, Tiffany Matthews writes about travel, fashion and anything under the sun at wordbaristas.com. You can find her on Twitter as
@TiffyCat87.

Filed Under: Content, Idea Bank, Motivation, Successful Blog, Writing Tagged With: bc, joy, publish, reading, resolutions, Writing

Change the World: Joy!

March 23, 2008 by Liz Leave a Comment

See the Joy of Learning!

changetheworld8

Ah, how we’re all waiting for spring time. I remember how I used to wait to break out my bike for that first bike ride. Even before the streets were quite clean and ready, I’d be watching for just enough sunshine.

For some reason, I needed the sun to fuel my feet so that I could push the pedals.

When it finally came I’d be off exploring, learning, becoming — filled with the joy of living. I start asking whether I could help the neighbor lady pull dandelions or whether sweeping her walk might be a good thing.

Even as a children, we seem to know that the best way to learn is to jump in and participate. And good things would always happen, when I gave a little to a cool project. Thing was that I had to go out to find them after a long winter hibernation.

The payments were good feelings, learning, smiles, and joy.

Joy is still a word well worth sharing. Go get some by giving some away.

We can change the world — just like that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

Filed Under: Liz, Motivation, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Change-the-World, joy

Sensitized

April 20, 2007 by Liz Leave a Comment

I’ve been thinking . . .

about being sensitized.

When I was in my 20s, my mom was in the hospital. She was dying. When I turned on the TV, it seemed every sitcom, every channel had a show in which one character was in the hospital. It wasn’t any more than usual. I was just sensitized.

When I had my son, the same thing happened. On TV, on the street, everywhere I looked, I saw people with babies or women who about to have one.

My own situation made me more aware of what was going on.

Today I woke up thinking, Oh my, it’s Friday again. How do my weeks seem to be Tuesdays and Fridays more than anything? I wonder what I will write?

Then I thought Something has me sensitized to those days of the week.

Why don’t I choose something else? I know I can. So I will. I choose joy.

This weekend, I’ve decided to be sensitive to joy everywhere I look. And the first place I looked was out my window to see a gorgeous coral sun sitting on the edge of the lake — a joyous, unique sunrise.

black%20signature

Filed Under: Motivation, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Ive-been-thinking, joy, sensitivity

Recently Updated Posts

6 Keys to Managing Your Remote Workforce

9 Reasons To Use WordPress

Useful Marketing Tools That Wont Bust Your Budget

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Successful Blogger?

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Successful Blogger?

6 Tips for the Serial Side Hustler

How to Make Your Blog Popular



From Liz Strauss & GeniusShared Press

  • What IS an SOB?!
  • SOB A-Z Directory
  • Letting Liz Be

© 2023 ME Strauss & GeniusShared